Focused around World Mental Health Day (10thOctober), the ‘The BIG Fundraising Week’ saw a whole host of activities, from station relay races and ‘row-a-thons’, to cycling challenges, bake sales and a prize draw, all with the aim of raising vital funds for Mind, GTR’s charity partner.
With one in four people experiencing a mental health problem every year, GTR is supporting Mind through a dedicated three-year partnership that aims to raise £75,000 for the charity, whilst removing the stigma attached to mental health.
GTR’s CEO, Angie Doll, is passionate about promoting positive mental health amongst the company’s 7,500 colleagues, as well with customers.
She said: “We carry millions of people on our services every day, and therefore have a responsibility to look out for those travelling. With the ability to reach a huge customer-base, we hope our partnership with Mind will not only help to raise awareness of the support that’s available, but also reassure people that it’s ok to open up about mental health and to ask for help.
“Over the course of our three-year partnership, we will be working towards our fundraising target, as well as developing initiatives with the charity that spark conversations about mental health and direct people to the right support, so that no mind is left behind.”
John Welsh, a gateline assistant from Hove, discovered just how vital mental health services are when he experienced his own challenges last year. He said: “My mental health struggles started last year when my partner was suffering from severe postnatal depression. I was signed off work to look after her and our baby, but the situation took its toll on my own mental health. Like a lot of people, I kept it to myself and didn't ask for help.”
John’s mental health issues worsened to the point where he was admitted to A&E and spent time in a mental health unit. After turning things around with the right support, John is now passionate about helping others and recently took part in the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge, raising a total of £6,000 for Mind.
Blackfriars station manager, Victoria O’Reilly, who lives in Luton, also took part in GTR’s fundraising week after undergoing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to manage panic attacks.
She explained: “Out of nowhere, at the age of 32 I started to experience panic attacks. They got progressively worse and when I had to have time off work due to consecutive attacks, I knew I had to do something about it. CBT has helped me to manage my health anxiety and I haven’t had a panic attack in two years.”
Victoria realised that mental health problems can happen to anyone at anytime, which is why charities like Mind are so important.
Andrew Berrie, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind, added:“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone at Govia Thameslink Railway for taking part in the BIG Fundraising Week. Their support around World Mental Health Day is helping to raise awareness and vital funds so that Mind can be there for more people who need us. This includes through our services and network of local Minds, campaigning for change and challenging stigma. Together, we can support a future where we can all get quality mental health care when we need it – so that no mind is left behind.”
GTR’s new partnership with Mind is one way the business is extending mental health support to its staff. The company also boasts a large in-house occupational health team, who deliver more than 8,000 in-person appointments each year for a range of health concerns.
With so many of its colleagues working on the frontline, the rail operator also provides employees access to specialist counselling services, mental health first aiders and trauma practitioners who can all provide targeted support.
‘The BIG Fundraising Week’ consisted of the following activity across the GTR network:
- Bedford to Blackfriars row-a-thon, developed by Andrew Chillingsworth from Bedford. Together, colleagues rowed a total of 125 miles.
- Station relay race from Eastbourne to Brighton, stopping at all stations in between. The 53-mile race helped to raise almost £1,000, which included a bake sale at Brighton station. The idea was created by Rail Enforcement Officer Jake Wallis, from Eastbourne.
- Blackfriars static bikeathon, created by Thameslink station manager Victoria O’Reilly, from Luton. The activity saw 25 colleagues each cycle for 30 minutes, clocking up more than 200 miles.
